ABSTRACT
A stroke is the syndrome of rapidly developing disturbance of cerebral function lasting >24 hours, or death within that time. Strokes may be preceded by transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), which are typically embolic, and may cause focal cerebral deficits usually lasting <60 min and recovering fully within 24 hours. A reversible ischaemic neurological deficit (RIND) is similar but persists for >24 hours.
